Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Chief Cathy L. Lanier, and DDOT Director Terry Bellamy were on hand on Saturday, September 7 for the opening ceremonies and community celebrationfor the local span of the 11th Street Bridge in Southeast. of The local bridge is being named for Metropolitan Police Officer Kevin J. Welsh, who died there in 1986 while attempting to assist a citizen in distress. Officer Welsh, a veteran of the Special Operations Division, drowned in the line of duty during a daring rescue attempt to save a suicidal woman.

“While many people run from danger, Officer Kevin Welsh went towards it and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Chief Lanier. “Officer Welsh was a devoted husband and father and his family legacy lives on, as his brother and his nephew are currently Metropolitan Police Department officers. We are pleased that he is being honored.”